Tampa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Backpacks for students, voting checks, and tragic losses in Pinellas — but also new trails, sea lions, and a desperate call for rare blood donors. This week, Tampa Bay balances community support, civic duty, and urgent needs, reminding us that progress and compassion can shine even in tough times. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on...

Tampa Bay braced for chaos as severe thunderstorms dumped hail on neighborhoods—cars, homes, and everything outside took a beating. Residents in Brandon and Valrico captured the icy onslaught, reminding everyone how fast Florida weather can turn wild. Stay alert, stay prepared—Mother Nature’s got a surprise for you. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount...

A massive tree crashed into a Riverview home during Friday’s 50+ mph winds, ripping through the roof and burying a bedroom—yet everyone inside escaped unharmed. The family, caught mid-dinner with their dog, survived the chaos, now focusing on safety and resilience as they face a long cleanup. Nature’s power struck hard, but their gratitude for each other and their home keeps them grounded. Listen...

A major food safety alert is underway as a listeria outbreak linked to China Buffet in Tampa sickened five people, prompting a temporary closure and ongoing health advisories for diners between April and June. Meanwhile, a nationwide surge in Cyclosporiasis cases—over 800 reported by the CDC—has officials scrambling to identify the source. Compounding the crisis, Publix’s GreenWise frozen blueberr...

A Tampa Bay contractor, Sam Garkey of Sundeck Pavers, faces arrest for organized fraud after multiple customers report he took their money—sometimes thousands—then vanished or failed to deliver. A new warrant targets $20K–$50K in alleged theft, fueled by a recent complaint from Jeremy Wolfe, who paid $7K for pavers that never arrived. This is part of at least four active criminal investigations, w...

Florida’s brutal heat wave is pushing first responders to their limits, forcing firefighters into more frequent rotations and rehab stops to stay safe and effective. Departments are deploying backup crews like a “ready player” to swap out exhausted teams, boosting both safety and firefighting efficiency. Medical staff are also seeing a surge in heat-related emergencies, especially among outdoor wo...

Prices aren’t cooling down fast enough — supply chain chaos and global shocks keep costs high, with inflation expected to linger past 2028. Consumers are tightening belts, CEOs are losing confidence, and businesses are passing on rising fuel, chemical, and aluminum costs through higher prices. Layoffs are mounting, especially in automation-heavy sectors, while finance, transport, and e-commerce al...

The U.S. House is set to vote on making daylight saving time permanent — ending the twice-yearly clock changes and bringing more evening sunshine. Supporters say the current system disrupts health and safety, linking time changes to heart attacks, strokes, and accidents. The bill, known as the Sunshine Protection Act, passed a committee vote in May and now faces a full House vote next week. But cr...

Randolph Mantooth Remembered | Tampa News

Fiat’s new Topolino electric car is here to bring joy, not speed — a tiny, $13,995 two-seater that cruises at just 19 mph, perfect for neighborhood drives, resorts, or golf cart zones. With a 46-mile range and retro flair like rope doors and a panoramic sunroof, it’s set to charm with simplicity. Later this summer, a free upgrade kit will boost speed to 25 mph, making it street-legal on slower roa...

A nationwide Cyclospora outbreak is hitting at least 31 states, with 843 confirmed cases and over 1,500 suspected since May—likely underreported. This parasite, usually found overseas, is now linked to contaminated U.S. food, with no travel history for many victims. Symptoms include persistent watery diarrhea, and while no deaths have occurred, 86 people are hospitalized. Past outbreaks tied to ba...

A Florida museum stumbled into chaos when a donated bottle of picric acid—once used as medicine but now dangerously explosive when dried—triggered a full hazmat response. Roads shut down, emergency crews swarmed the scene, and locals like landscaper Frank Collins and resident Roger King were caught in the confusion. Sheriff Al Nienhuis confirmed the chemical’s instability but doubted foul play, po...

Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold narrowly avoided a GPS monitor in court, as the judge ruled his job loss wasn’t enough to justify the added restriction — despite prosecutors arguing he’s a greater risk now that he’s unemployed and his co-defendants remain jailed. The defense countered with NFL interest and recent workouts, stressing the monitor could derail his career. The judge sid...

Warrick Dunn celebrates 30 years of transforming single-parent lives through his charity, gathering 100 families at Innisbrook Resort for a weekend of gratitude, empowerment, and home ownership—rooted in his mother’s legacy and fueled by a mission to build generational stability, wealth, and hope. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on...

Severe storms are barreling into Tampa Bay—stay alert and flexible with your plans. Meanwhile, political tensions rise around Representative Donalds as Amendment Three faces mounting challenges. Clearwater’s collecting signatures to challenge a recent South Garden Avenue vote, while Pasco County urges voters to verify their info before election day. St. Petersburg moves ahead with the next phases...

A thousand dollars from the Kohl’s Cares Grant is turning heads—and backpacks—across Tampa Bay as The Boys & Girls Clubs gear up for the new school year. With back-to-school season fast approaching, this annual donation is a lifeline for families who can’t afford new supplies. Intern Pablo shares how a simple new backpack boosted his confidence on the first day of school—and how many kids don’t ge...

Hillsborough County deputies smashed a high-stakes credit card fraud ring led by 32-year-old Juan Miguel Acosta Ramos, uncovering over 150 counterfeit cards, skimming devices, and evidence of a sophisticated operation designed to steal from businesses and everyday folks across Tampa Bay. The bust, triggered by a fake card used at a Wawa, netted a Ford F-250 and even recovered cards flushed down th...

Death Investigated at Dick's House of Sports | Tampa News

Death at Dick's House of Sports | Tampa News

In Polk County, Florida, 29-year-old Jeremy Matthew Mason was arrested after police found a severely injured woman in the backseat of his truck—bruised, bleeding, and terrified she’d been about to be killed. The assault began when Mason picked her up in Daytona, escalated during a coffee shop drive-thru where he allegedly hit her with a cup and sped away, and was fueled by a history of abuse and a...

A tragic discovery unfolded at Lassing Park in St. Petersburg Friday morning when authorities found a 31-year-old woman, Erica Grace Wendling, unresponsive in the water near shore after paddleboarding. Preliminary investigation suggests no foul play, and the medical examiner is now determining the cause of death. Her family has been notified, and as the investigation continues, the community mourn...

Colonel Kevin Eley has officially taken command of MacDill Air Force Base’s Sixth Air Refueling Wing, succeeding Colonel Edward Szczepanik after two years of service. Eley, arriving from Joint Base Andrews, now leads over 4,000 airmen—many deployed overseas—vowing to embrace innovation and bold execution while fostering teamwork. He acknowledged upcoming challenges but expressed confidence in his...

A Tampa towing company, CommTow, is caught in a legal whirlwind after a customer sued over a $250 fee for retrieving his car — even though he picked it up before the county’s 48-hour window. While CommTow claims they followed updated state law, they refunded the fee after learning about the county’s rule — but now face a class-action lawsuit claiming dozens were similarly charged. The company insi...

Death Under Investigation at Dick's House of Sports | Tampa News

A woman was kidnapped and held against her will in a white truck speeding across Florida’s I-4, screaming for help as a highway patrol trooper pulled her abductor over. The suspect, Jeremy Matthew Mason, allegedly beat her with a coffee cup, punched her, and threatened to kill her after she accused him of cheating. She tried to escape multiple times, including while driving, but he forced her back...